Madison County court records found in open recycling bin

WOOD RIVER, Ill. (AP) -- Court administrators in Madison County say they'll do a better job of disposing of public records after court documents turned up in an open recycling bin.

The (Alton) Telegraph reports that one of its reporters responding to a tip found hundreds of the court records plainly visible in the container outside the county's complex in Wood River.

The records showed names of victims, including minors, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, detailed accounts of why an order of protection was needed and Social Security numbers.

Madison County Interim Circuit Clerk Judy Nelson says a hauler who waited a couple of weeks to cart off the documents won't be used again. Nelson says the records instead will be disposed of immediately.
------
Information from: The Telegraph, http://www.thetelegraph.com